Driving to Lubbock from Houston (Austin, Abilene: best, map, monthly)

[Andy2018]

Hello all,
Which is the best route to take from Houston to Lubbock?
Mapquest suggests I20-w through FT Worth/Abilene OR TX-6 n through Waco.
Which one has the best view, more highways, less desert? Thanks

[alsal29]

6 will be a better scenic drive but probably take longer. I-20 is pretty boring...

[FTWRunner]

Fastest way will be 87S to I-20E, then I-35W south, then Hwy 6 S at Waco, then 290E into Houston, 2 lane roads all the way.

I've done Lubbock to Austin more times than I can count and if you want views and see more of Texas this is a great route to the Austin area, from Austin there are lots of back ways to Houston:

-84 south to Snyder
- at Snyder take 208 south through Colorado City
-at Robert E Lee take 158 east through Bronte to Ballinger
-at Ballinger (stop and check out the huge cross) take 83 south to Eden
-at Eden take 87 east to Brady
-at Brady take 71 through Llano to Austin (71 is super pretty, but traffic in Austin can be a bear)

You can head to Houston from Austin:
-take 71 through Austin to either 10 at Columbus or you can popup 21 north at Bastrop and take 290 in.

Or to avoid Austin completely take 281 south east of Austin from 71, and then work your way to the east using any of the FM roads and hook up with 71 or I-10 that way.

I love that the majority of back roads in Texas are in great shape and you can just pull out a map and go.

[PopeNYoung]

I always did 290 to 36 to 20 to 84.

Its been over 10 years though.

[rhn]

Originally Posted by PopeNYoung

I always did 290 to 36 to 20 to 84.

Its been over 10 years though.

I believe this is still the best way between Houston and Lubbock. Made that trip almost monthly for over 5 years. the town of Comanche is a good halfway point for meals and fuel. Last time I made the trip was 3 years ago.

[creekstone]

Andy, it would help if you'd tell us where you intend to start this journey.